Truly neutral Russian athletes should compete in 2024 Olympics – Kharlan
Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan said that Russian athletes who explicitly profess their opposition to the war against Ukraine have every reason to be allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
During an appearance on the morning show Snidanok on Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 on Aug. 8, Kharlan stated that Russians could only be allowed to participate in the Olympics if they prove their "neutrality" by speaking out against the war in Ukraine.
“Ideally, they should not be allowed at all,” she said.
“But if they want to be admitted under a neutral flag, this neutrality should be more profound. You should verify this. They should publicly say or sign a declaration – because they were against signing declarations before, as it would be bad for them in their country (Russia). But you can see that they are not neutral, that certain information is coming out.”
Read also: Kharlan almost suffered nervous breakdown after odious Fencing World Championship DQ
“The fact that they cannot freely express their opinion is their problem and that of their undemocratic country. There are (Russian) athletes who speak out publicly, saying they are against the war. I believe that they can participate because they said that, and they are also helping Ukraine.”
Earlier, Kharlan spoke out against the idea that Ukrainian athletes should refuse to compete against their Russian or Belarusian counterparts.
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